Pottery Pottery Basics

Bone Dry

By
Beth Peterson
Beth Peterson
Beth Peterson is a pottery expert, sharing her knowledge about producing pottery on the wheel, as well as handbuilt ceramic sculpture, and the Raku firing technique of pottery making. She also teaches mask making to children and adults. Beth has over 30 years of experience crafting with clay.
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Updated on 01/19/20
Pottery drying on shelf
Pottery drying on shelf Lena Mirisola / Getty Images

Definition:

Bone dry (adjective) is a term used to describe and identify greenware pottery that has dried as much as possible before it has gone through its first firing (the bisque firing). When held, bone dry greenware feels to be at room temperature, not cool to the touch. Coolness indicates that evaporation is still taking place.

Bone dry greenware is extremely brittle and will break apart very easily. Therefore, it should be handled as little as possible and great care must be taken when loading it into the kiln.

Alternate Spellings: bone-dry

Examples: Picking up bone dry pottery one-handed by the rim or sides may break the pot into pieces. (adjective)